Governor Presents Mentoring Award to BVU Junior

The presentation occurred as a follow-up to National Volunteer Week activities across the U.S. The Excellence in Mentoring Award cites Haas for her dedication and service as a mentor in Storm Lake.

April 25, 2019

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg presented a 2019 Excellence in Mentoring Award on April 16 to Isabel Haas, a Buena Vista University junior from Dallas, Texas.

The presentation occurred as a follow-up to National Volunteer Week activities across the U.S. The Excellence in Mentoring Award cites Haas for her dedication and service as a mentor in Storm Lake.

“I meet weekly with a junior at Storm Lake High School and have mentored that student for a year-and-a-half,” says Haas. “Rather than look at it strictly as mentoring, I like to say that I made a friend. I’m an advocate for my student and a listening ear.”

“I came to BVU and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve had experiences inside and outside the classroom at BVU.”

Isabel Haas

Haas, who helps with the BV Buddies mentoring program on campus, also serves as president of the Student Activities Board and as an editor for The Tack, BVU’s on-line newspaper. She recently spent spring break teaching English to Pre-K students in the Dominican Republic as part of the BVU AWOL (Alternative Week of Offsite Learning). Additionally, she works as a resident advisor on campus.

After her first year of college, the digital media major relocated to Storm Lake with her parents, Dr. Leslie and Louis Haas, and siblings, Isaac and Ilana. Dr. Haas serves as assistant professor of education at BVU, while Isaac, like Isabel, is a BVU student.

“My parents were moving here and I’m very family oriented, so I came to BVU and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she says. “I’ve had experiences inside and outside the classroom at BVU.”

Having her mentoring commitment recognized at the Iowa Capitol was something Haas never dreamed of experiencing. She’s still somewhat humbled by the attention and the fact her phone “blew up” after Dr. Ashley Farmer-Hanson, BVU assistant vice president of student success and director of community engagement, shared news of the award on social media.

“My whole family was there for the ceremony and that meant so much to me,” Haas says. “My mom was crying because she was so happy.”

The trophy that accompanies the honor now has a place on Haas’ room in her residence hall on campus. Being a winner, though, won’t change her practice. She remains committed to being the best mentor and role model she can be throughout her time as a member of the BV Buddies.